Fortress turned into arts centre

Local people are given an ice-cream in exchange for a song

A 19th century tower on the Essex coast, built to keep out Napoleon, is being converted into a arts centre.

Grade II listed Jaywick Martello Tower was sold to the county council for £1 and placed on English Heritage's buildings at risk register.

The refurbished tower will include arts exhibitions, a look-out station for public use and workshops.

At the project's launch on 17 September visitors will receive a free compilation CD of local people singing.

Songs for ice-cream

A 1950's ice-cream van was used as a mobile recording studio to make the recording.

Artist Mark Storor, who helped to make the recordings, said: "The whole idea is to create a musical memory box.

"I've been working with composer George Maxwell and we've been driving around Jaywick and swapping songs for ice creams."

The CD will be called Soft Ices - Hard Standings to reflect the coastal town's historical connection with ice-cream and caravans.

A council spokesperson said the tower was an example of using arts to communicate the value of a key heritage site.